Vatican City, Feb 5, 2016 / 04:59 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Friday the Vatican announced that while on his way to Mexico, Pope Francis stop in Cuba to meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in the first meeting between the two leaders since their churches split over 1,000 years ago.“The Holy See and the Patriarchate of Moscow are pleased to announce that, by the grace of God, His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will meet on February 12 … [Read more...]

Vatican City, Feb 4, 2016 / 05:29 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- On Thursday the “Pope of Surprises” made an unscheduled stop at the welcoming center for pilgrims in Rome for the Jubilee of Mercy, before heading to three Vatican departments for a lengthy visit after.Francis dropped by the Jubilee Welcoming Center at 9 a.m. Feb. 4, where he surprised the roughly 10 workers and the different groups of pilgrims who were present when he arrived through the back entrance.The center, which … [Read more...]

Vatican City, Feb 4, 2016 / 10:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The incorrupt body of Padre Pio has arrived to Rome for the first time ever alongside that of another friar, St. Leopold Mandi?, as a special initiative for the Jubilee of Mercy.Urns containing the relics of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina and Saint Leopold Mandi? arrived to Rome’s basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Wall Feb. 3.They will remain for a week of vigils, Masses and stops at several Roman churches, including St. … [Read more...]

Vatican City, Feb 3, 2016 / 03:55 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis will leave for Mexico in just over a week. In a new interview with a Mexican news agency, he told citizens of the crime-ridden country that while there, he hopes to be a messenger of peace, which must be fought for daily.“Violence, corruption, war, children who cannot go to school because of their countries at war, trafficking, arms manufacturers who sell weapons so that the wars in the world can … [Read more...]

Vatican City, Feb 3, 2016 / 04:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- When God is described in the Bible as being both merciful and just it can seem like an identity crisis, however Pope Francis said it’s the opposite: rather contradicting each other, the two actually go hand in hand.“Sacred Scripture presents us with God as infinite mercy, but also as perfect justice. How are these two things reconciled? How can the reality of mercy be articulated with the need for justice?” the Pope said … [Read more...]

Vatican City, Feb 2, 2016 / 11:44 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis presided over Mass on Tuesday for the conclusion of the Year for Consecrated Life, reminding religious men and women of their call to be “custodians of wonder” as they promote a culture of encounter with Christ.“All forms of consecrated life, each according to its own characteristic, are called to be in permanent states of mission,” the Pope said in his Feb. 2 homily at St. Peter's Basilica for the … [Read more...]

Vatican City, Feb 2, 2016 / 05:59 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As the Chinese New Year approaches, Pope Francis has granted an interview to Hong Kong’s Asia Times in which he touches on an array of topics including the country’s rapid rise to power and a realistic balance of work and family life.With many families facing division and even separation due to the heavy emphasis that is often place on work-efficiency in China, Pope Francis has suggested “a healthy realism” … [Read more...]